![]() ![]() The Strömbom Model of herding 16 is based on rule-based switching between collecting sheep and driving them to a goal. These models were extended to develop a ground-based simulation for the reactions of a sheep in response to a sheepdog using the repel and attract vectors directly and align vector indirectly 16. ![]() Mathematical models for herding developed based on three vector relationships of repulsion, alignment, and attraction 15. In order to improve on that piloted approach, our ultimate research goal is autonomous shepherding with AI and to do so while engendering public and farmer trust.Įarly work on herding behaviour proposed that herding is motivated by self-preservation rather than groupthink and overall group protection 14. Mustering cattle with helicopters in the Australian outback, however, has proven cost-effective despite the complexity 13. Public videos 10 show there is considerable piloting skill required in using drones close to animals and the ground, that when coupled with the skills and awareness of shepherding and complex farm terrain, could be costly. 50 m of the closest individual’ with pilots ‘ able to control the movement of the elephants through herding tactics, positioning the drone on either flank of the herd.’ There is the clear potential to use drone technology for shepherding and a need to underpin that use with scientific research. 11 observing for elephants that ‘ As the drone approached, herds would group together quickly and flee rapidly as the drone came within c. Drones have been successfully used to herd wild elephants and birds 11, 12, with Hahn et al. Sheep farmers in countries like New Zealand have resorted to using piloted drones to herd 10 however, research of the effect on animal stress and other behavioural responses has not been conducted. Heart rate is a generally accepted indicator of stress in sheep that is ideally kept in a range around 163 beats per minute average when being vigorously driven or 262 beats per minute instantaneous for acceptable stress in the presence of working dogs where, by comparison, the resting heart rate for sheep is around 80 beats per minute 8.ĭrones offer farmers new dimensions in access and robotics 1, 9. Use of working dogs to herd animals’ risks consumer concerns about the stress on the animals, incidents of biting and pressure to muzzle dogs 7. Farmer deaths from accidents are significant 4, 5, while research on sheep welfare has called for new practical technologies to assist in the detection of multiple welfare issues 6. For sheep and cattle production, large farms result in bigger areas and more animals to survey, increasing the distances farmers and working dogs must travel using motorbikes or quad bikes 3. There are now larger farms managed by fewer farm workers using more machinery 2. In Australia, like in many developed countries, public consumers are pressuring modern farmers to provide better animal welfare and be more efficient-so-called smart farming 1. We outline our ongoing research plans to achieve more autonomous sky shepherding that is compassionate to animal welfare and trusted by farmers and the consuming public. When controlled, these auditory cues can maintain safer distances between the drone and the sheep, offering great potential for the agriculture industry. Our results demonstrate that stimulating sheep auditory awareness during herding from the sky leads to varying sheep responses. Sheep acclimatised quickly and positively to the drone initiating drive of a flock, regardless of drone speed. The model aims to make it feasible for artificial intelligence to improve the autonomy of farmers and pilots in shepherding from the sky. We examined the behavioural and physiological response of twelve Dorper sheep ( Ovies aries) to a drone to adapt mathematical models of shepherding to the new dimension. Herding risks farmer lives, involves stress from farm dogs, and if not performed often and intelligently, risks neglect. Consumer groups are pressuring modern farmers to be more efficient with a focus on better animal welfare. ![]()
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